The new Mercedes EQS is the Mercedes EV flagship because it packs everything Mercedes can offer in an electric platform. This means that the EQS is 100% based on a separate chassis that was designed and developed with the EQS in mind.
This makes the EQS a lot different when compared to the EQA, the EQB, and the EQC because these three are based on a GLA, GLB, and GLC platform. As such, the EQS comes with all the practicality and aerodynamic benefits you’d expect from an EV while all the other current Mercedes EQ models do not.
The EQS is positioned as the electric S-Class which means that it should be effortless to drive while also being relatively engaging and amply luxurious. This is indeed the case because the EQS is the most technologically advanced luxury Mercedes model money can buy these days.
The EQS is the best EV you can buy right now if you are someone who tends to spend a lot of time driving on the highway because the EQS offers a record-breaking EV range, the most comfortable driving experience, and the most aerodynamic profile out of all EVs on sale.
Mercedes EQS – The general overview
From the outset, the EQS does not look like an EV version of the S-Class because the exterior design is certainly not as stately nor attractive as the one found on the S-Class. This is because Mercedes wanted to maximize the aerodynamic capabilities of the EQS rather than just making it look like a luxurious full-size sedan.
This did make a difference because the EQS managed to hit 441 miles on a single charge which is still the record for the longest-lasting EV charge on any car today. The moment you step inside the EQS you are greeted with what Mercedes calls a “hyper screen”.
The EQS takes a different approach when compared to 99% of expensive EVs on sale because it does not focus on performance. This makes the EQS a refreshing prospect because EVs are not really all that exciting as performance cars anyway.
Even though they reach 60mph from a standstill in a blink of an eye, that’s only exciting for the first part of the ownership experience. Afterward, all the long-term benefits of the EQS start to shine and that’s why the reception of the EQS as a luxury EV king prevailed.
The Design and Technology
You simply can not imagine a luxury EV these days without it being the most tech-infested four-wheeled car on the planet. That’s also the case with the EQS because it offers both the hyper screen and lots of state-of-the-art technologies like more than 350 different sensors which are designed to monitor every aspect of the drive.
The two most talked about features of the EQS are the exterior design and the 56-inch hyper screen. The exterior design was initially met with a lot of questions because the EQS does not necessarily look like a Mercedes should as far as most Mercedes enthusiasts are concerned.
However, the decision was made that the EQS needs to be as aerodynamic as possible in order to make it as quiet and as aerodynamic as possible which meant making it look a bit weird. On the other hand, the 56-inch hyper screen is not a 56-inch screen but rather a 56-inch panel that packs three large screens.
The rest of the cabin is 100% Mercedes because it is cladded with fine materials like leather, wood, aluminum, or black piano plastic.
Mercedes EQS powertrain
Mercedes is a brand widely known for making some of the most technologically advanced engines and the electric engine found in the EQS certainly fits that that philosophy. The high-end EQS model is called the EQS 580 and it offers a 107.8 kWh battery which offers 441 miles of usable range.
This makes the EQS the current EV-only range champion. The EQS can be charged with up to 200kW of electricity which translates to a 30-min charge being more than enough for your daily commute. The EQS 580 comes with two electric motors packing 518hp.
This is enough to propel the EQS from 0-60mph in less than 4 seconds which is not nearly as fast as the Tesla Model S Plaid or the Taycan Turbo S. However, Mercedes aims to offer a luxury vehicle and not a performance EV, and that is apparent the moment you lay your eyes on the EQS.
FAQ Section
Why should I buy the Mercedes EQS?
You should buy the Mercedes EQS if you want the best EV cruiser on the current market. The EQS is packed with industry-leading EV technology which makes it a record holder in many regards. It’s not made to be a performance EV like the Tesla Model S, the Taycan, or the e-Tron GT and that’s rather apparent.
No EV out there offers the same level of luxury and comfort and no EV out there is able to rival the maximum range you get from the EQS 580. Mercedes says that a performance version will inevitably follow down the line which should satisfy those acceleration addicts.
Why should I skip buying the Mercedes EQS?
If you want the best luxury cruiser money can buy there are many superior ICE cars out there. The ease of use you get from only needing to stop for a 5-minute fuel top-up before continuing your journeys for a few hundred miles longer is superior to owning an EV.
If you want a performance EV you are better off with the Porsche Taycan or the Audi e-Tron GT because these two are considerably more exciting than the EQS.
How does the EQS compare to the S-Class?
The Mercedes EQS is the Mercedes luxury car benchmark for decades and running, yet it seems that Mercedes is positioning the EQS in a similar market as is the case with the S-Class. This poses a question of which of these two luxury sedans is the better choice.
As such, the S-Class still is the most stately and regal Mercedes luxury car out there because the EQS simply does not deliver everything. The S-Class is better looking, is more comfortable, offers way more space for the rear passengers, and is arguably more fun to drive.
